Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF)) · The Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF) Action Plan 2017 – 2020 outlines the tactical approach to advance the innovation

Alberta Research and Innovat ion Framework 2017

2017

NOTES

Prepared by the Government of Alberta.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade website at

www.economic.alberta.ca or the Alberta Research and Innovation Framework webpage at

www.alberta.ca/alberta-research-innovation-framework.aspx. Alberta Research and Innovation Framework 2017 2017 ISBN 978-1-4601-3612-6

http://www.economic.alberta.ca/

http://www.alberta.ca/alberta-research-innovation-framework.aspx

ALBERTA RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FRAMEWORK | alberta.ca | 2017 1

A MESSAGE FROM THE

GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA

Alberta’s research and innovation system has a crucial role to play in

the province’s success.

Alberta has proud legacy of discovery, built on a history of investment in research and innovation.

But, as the province responds to changes in the economy, the impacts of climate change and

rapid advancements in technology, Alberta’s research and innovation system must adapt and

evolve.

A strong research and innovation system gives our province a competitive edge and positions

Alberta for continued success in the global economy. It contributes to sustainable economic

growth and diversification, fosters talent and conditions for discovery, provides opportunities to

commercialize products and services, and creates jobs for today and the future.

Alberta’s research and innovation system is a partnership between government, its agencies,

post-secondary institutions and industry, all working for the benefit of society. At its foundation are

researchers, entrepreneurs and those who seek to create a better quality of life for Albertans.

The Government of Alberta is taking action to strengthen this system by providing clear direction

to its stakeholders through the Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF). The ARIF

was collaboratively developed by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates, with input

from post-secondary institutions and industry leaders. It establishes shared outcomes and

aspirational innovation targets for provincially-supported research and innovation organizations to

collectively build a stronger system that delivers measurable results.

DISCOVERING NEW FRONTIERS, TOGETHER.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 3

PURPOSE OF THE ARIF ............................................................................................................... 4

OUTCOMES .................................................................................................................................... 5

INNOVATION TARGETS ................................................................................................................ 6

THE ROAD TO 2030 ..................................................................................................................... 10

ALBERTA’S RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SYSTEM ............................................................ 11

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS ................................................................................................... 12

APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................... 14

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DEFINITIONS ....................................................................... 14

PARTNERS, ROLES, AND RELATIONSHIPS .......................................................................... 15

SYSTEM PARTNER PROFILES ............................................................................................... 16

OVER A CENTURY OF INNOVATION IN ALBERTA ............................................................... 18


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A strong research and innovation system lays the foundation for remarkable discoveries, creates

new skilled jobs and helps Alberta build a prosperous society positioned for national and

international success.

The Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF) sets out shared outcomes and

aspirational innovation targets for government, and provincially-supported research and

innovation organizations such as Alberta Innovates and post-secondary institutions. The shared

focus, inspired by the Framework and an accompanying ARIF Action Plan, will help Alberta

achieve sustainable economic, environmental and social prosperity.

The Government of Alberta realizes that setting realistic, measureable targets in key sectors is

the first step to achieving this vision. This Framework includes a suite of Innovation Targets,

intended to inspire collective action to develop transformational solutions that advance our stated

outcomes to the year 2030.

By setting aspirational innovation targets in areas of highest need or opportunity, the

province:

Stimulates bold ideas and actions from innovators, industry, and entrepreneurs;

Guides research investments to support new knowledge where it’s needed; and

Supports a robust pipeline of innovations from early stage to scale-up to market-ready.

The Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF) Action Plan 2017 – 2020 outlines the

tactical approach to advance the innovation targets and deliver results for Albertans. The Action

Plan will be implemented through initiatives embedded within Government of Alberta ministry

business plans, Alberta Innovates and other public research performers. Performance measures

for each initiative will demonstrate impact or signal the need for course corrections.

Alberta is home to one of the youngest, best educated and most diverse populations in Canada.

We have strong communities, first-rate post-secondary institutions, and thriving health care and

innovation sectors. The ARIF builds on these strengths to accelerate innovation.


PURPOSE OF THE ARIF

Guiding the Government of Alberta research and innovation initiatives, post-secondary

institutions and its researchers, innovators and other partners, the ARIF:

1| Establishes outcomes for Alberta’s research and innovation system.

2| Describes ingredients for success that support research and innovation excellence in Alberta.

3| Outlines Innovation Targets to focus research and innovation on the needs of Albertans.

4| Recognizes stakeholders roles and responsibilities in the research and innovation system.

Enhanced coordination and alignment starts with

all system partners working together.


OUTCOMES

Alberta is working to diversity its economy, take a leadership role in addressing climate change

and enhance the quality of life of all Albertans. Innovation will play a crucial role in achieving

these outcomes. To ensure the provincially-funded research and innovation system is aligned

with government priorities, the ARIF provides a clear strategic framework to focus resources and

foster collaboration.

The interrelated outcomes empower government ministries and innovation system stakeholders

to continue to work together to deliver results and benefits for Albertans. Aspirational innovation

targets enable us to work towards achieving our outcomes, and evaluate our collective progress

towards them.

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Leadership

Facilitate anticipation and mitigation of environmental impacts

Effective Resource Management

Enable cost-effective discovery, development, and production

of natural resources

Engaged Individuals and Communities for a Healthy Alberta

Enhance the health and well-being of Albertans

Economic Diversification and Job Creation

Catalyze growth and diversification of the economy.


INNOVATION TARGETS

A successful research and innovation system fosters collaboration by bringing together actors

from across the province and around the world to tackle complex and interrelated challenges. The

ARIF is key tool in enabling the collaborations, discoveries and breakthroughs that make Alberta

a research and innovation leader.

The Innovation Targets for 2030 are intended to inspire transformational solutions in priority

areas. The targets, developed by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates corporations,

with input from post-secondary institutions and industry leaders, support increasing Alberta’s

competitiveness, growth and export readiness in sectors of strength.

Each Innovation Target includes select focus areas to show where Alberta is pursuing

opportunities to generate results. Milestones will be identified in order to monitor short and mid-

term progress, and to make course corrections when necessary.

By setting aspirational, feasible Innovation Targets in areas of highest need or opportunity, the

province:

Stimulates bold ideas and actions from innovators, industry, and entrepreneurs;

Guides research investment to support new knowledge where it’s needed;

Supports a robust pipeline of innovations from early stage to scale-up and market-

ready; and

Accelerates transformational solutions.


INNOVATION TARGETS Note: The base year for all targets is 2015, unless otherwise stated.

Achievement means attracting more investment and creating jobs in new and growing

sectors through innovation in clean technology, advanced materials, robotics, other

nanotechnologies, genomics and other omics technologies, and high value digital

solutions.

Achievement means Alberta’s natural resources, air, land and water are protected, in part

through new and improved strategies and products to reduce the environmental footprint

and climate change impact of citizen and industrial activities.

Grow Alberta’s Green Economy

Support the Cleantech sector to increase industry sales revenue by 25%, thereby increasing Alberta's global market share by 20%.

Clean power, renewables, and energy storage

Consumer, industrial, and community waste management and energy efficiency

Water and wastewater

Advanced Manufacturing& Materials

The value of Alberta’s manufacturing sector will increase from $18.8 billion to $40 billion through the development of advanced materials, instrumentation, and repurposing jobs (2014 base).

Robotics, 3-D printing, and fabrication

New materials from existing resources (e.g. fibre, bitumen), including carbon nanomaterials

Sensors and MEMS

Materials to reduce environmental impacts, and improve reliability and durability

Digital Economy

The ICT industry in Alberta generates more than $20 billion in annual revenues and the province is the best in Canada for digital literacy and connectivity.

Data Science: analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, sensors, IoT, 5G comms

Privacy and cybersecurity: emergency management, secure and safe interoperability

Advanced and productive ICT solutions in natural resource management (e.g. environmental monitoring, digital oilfield, precision farming, etc.)

Virtual service delivery and Smart Communities

ConservingBiodiversity

Biodiversity is maintained or enhanced at levels relative to reference conditions.

Cumulative effects management, cause-effect relationships and adaptation

Species-at-risk detectability, assessment, and recovery

Invasive-species prevention or reduction

Ecosystem services

Restoring Alberta’s Landscapes

Reduce landscape disturbance intensity by 20% and accelerate reclamation of disturbed lands to promote native habitat and species recovery.

Restoration, remediation and resilience

Resource development footprint reduction

Wetland conservation

Innovative monitoring systems, including remote-sensing and automation

Fine tailings reclamation

Sustainable Water Management

Safe, secure, and reliable water resources, while enhancing the health of the aquatic ecosystems and improving overall water use efficiency by 30% (2010 base).

Future water supply, watershed management, and climate change

Aquatic ecosystem health

Water use conservation, efficiency, productivity

Water quality protection

Emerging Technologies Innovation Target Select Focus Areas

Environment & Climate Adaptation Innovation Target Select Focus Areas


Achievement means Alberta’s energy sector is more competitive, diversified and

sustainable as a result of translating new knowledge into technologies to access and use

non-renewable and renewable energy resources.

Achievement means the growth and efficiency of the bioindustrial sector helps diversify

Alberta’s economy, increase exports and increase investment in the rural economy.

Reduce GHG Emissions

Support Alberta’s climate change goals by accelerating solutions to reduce methane emissions by 45% by 2025 and ensure a dynamic portfolio of GHG emission reduction technologies (2014 base).

New technologies, processes and design standards to reduce fugitive methane emissions

Carbon utilization solutions for industry sectors

Strategic partnership growth, including interdisciplinary and global connections

Increase Value & Market Access

Support the successful commercialization of new value-added products to increase the market value of Alberta's oil and gas exports by 25% and expanding access to market.

Partial upgrading of bitumen and heavy oil

Enhanced value added processing for natural gas

Chemical polymers and feedstock

Materials and new products from bitumen

Pipeline and transportation integrity and safety, and reducing environmental impact

Improve Oil Sands Efficiency

Oil sands production efficiency and economics improve by decreasing fresh water use by 50%, GHG emissions by 50% on a per bbl basis, and supply cost of bitumen to be globally competitive.

Lower-energy oil sands recovery (e.g. solvents and electromagnetic heating)

Advanced combined heat and power, and CO2

reduction

Smart technologies and carbon neutral processes

Energy efficiency, steam oil ratio reduction

Renewable Energy

Renewable sources, like wind and solar, will contribute 30% of Alberta’s electricity generation.

Indigenous and remote communities

Utility scale renewables and micro-generation

Energy storage

Energy efficiency

Increase Sales

Exports from Bioindustrialsectors increase by five times while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Waste to value-add, including integration of agricultural, forestry, and municipal wastes

Fibre characterization and processing and platform technology (e.g. nanotechnology)

Drive Investment

Industry operating in the value-added bioindustrial sector will attract an additional $3 billion private sector investment in Alberta.

Advanced biobased materials and value added bioproducts (e.g. CNC, Hemp, Lignin)

Industrial applications

Biorefining & new agricultural fibre products

Bioenergy and biofuels

Reduce Waste

50% reduction in organic waste to landfill through innovative technologies which produce value-added products.

Value-add products from waste, including biofuels, bio-derived chemicals, and fertilizers

Adaptation and deployment of global technologies and processes

Energy and GHG Mitigation Innovation Target Select Focus Areas

Fibre & Bioindustrial Innovation Target Select Focus Areas


Achievement means Alberta’s food and agriculture system is able to grow, diversify and

increase the value of products to feed Albertans and others around the world.

Advances in health, quality, wellness and value (sustainability, economic growth and

social benefit) through an aligned and focused research and innovation ecosystem.

Increase Sales

Sales from ingredient, food, and beverage product manufacturing increases from $13.7 billion to $25 billion (2014 base).

New competitive value-added products

Improved productivity and profitability

Increased adoption of research & technology

Increased global market share

Science-based enabling policy & legislation

Increase Productivity

Increase crop and livestock quality and productivity by 30%, while responsibly managing natural resources (2013 base).

Improved crops and livestock

New tools and technologies

Enhanced best management practices

Adapt new crops

Improving delivery of knowledge

Strengthened Public Trust for Expanded Markets

Ensure agriculture, food and beverage production meets or exceeds public expectations and values by 10% (2030) (2016 base).

Improved public trust

Validated production processes

Sustainable environmental management

Enhanced animal well-being

Improved food safety

Improve Robustness of Health Data

100% of human health data, social determinants of health data, and health-related data in the province are secure, linked, and readily accessible to improve health outcomes and enable decision making and research.

Integrated and accessible data and analytics, including secondary use data

Tools to engage patients in their own healthcare, including the Personal Health Portal

Linkages to national and international data sets and initiatives

Improve Quality of Care

Alberta has a high performing and equitable health care system with improved service quality and health outcomes and a per capita cost at or below the Canadian average.

Precision Health: Novel diagnostics , medical devices, and therapeutics

Patient-centered care delivered in the right setting, including rural and remote care

Reductions in low-value services, treatments, tests, drugs, and technologies

Health system funding models and economic analysis

Reduce Burden of Disease

Innovations in chronic disease prevention and management decrease the disease burden of Albertans, including a 25% decrease in avoidable mortality and a 20% increase in patient-informed quality-adjusted life years for Albertans with chronic disease.

System-wide approach to wellness, prevention, early intervention, and management

Health inequities of Alberta’s Indigenous population and other underserved populations

Mental health and addiction

Innovation in care, including process innovations, funding models, and use of life cycle costing

Accelerate Health & Wellness Innovation

Alberta to become a top 10 location for research, development and commercialization of health and wellness innovations in North America, leading to social and health benefits for Albertans and beyond.

Leader in rigorous evidence generation for health innovations to support and accelerate commercialization and adoption into local and international markets

Aligned ecosystem for research, adoption, commercialization and market access

Pursue and evaluate health innovation approaches integrated across the entire continuum of care that lead

Food & Agriculture Innovation Target Select Focus Areas

Health Innovation Target Select Focus Areas


THE ROAD TO 2030

As Alberta builds a more focused and coordinated research and innovation system, the

Government of Alberta will continually monitor and report progress on achieving outcomes, invest

public funds strategically, and make adjustments or enhancements as necessary. We recognize

too that an effective research and innovation system also requires a supportive regulatory and

financial environment.

As part of the ARIF Action Plan, milestones and measures are being developed to track

cumulative progress in the focus areas. The ARIF Action Plan will leverage cross-ministry related

strategies that support these focus areas.

The ARIF Action Plan includes the accountability mechanism for reporting annually to the public

on progress made towards meeting the Innovation Targets and in relation to the overall ARIF

strategies. The ARIF Action Plan was drafted in collaboration with Alberta Innovates and

government Ministries with a research and innovation focus. It is a “living” document that will be

updated as new initiatives are identified and approved by Ministries and Alberta Innovates.

The Alberta government recognizes that sometimes it is more effective to leverage technologies,

knowledge and processes from other jurisdictions in order to reach our goals faster. That is why

Alberta will continue to form strategic partnerships with industry, the federal government and

other jurisdictions in order to advance our innovation targets and outcomes.

However, where Alberta is a leading jurisdiction in innovation, the province will continue to

develop expertise and seek new markets and opportunities to export knowledge and skills.

Building Alberta’s knowledge economy supports greater economic diversification in the province,

improves quality of life and enhances opportunities here and elsewhere.

Economic Development and Trade will coordinate the Action Plan and Innovation Targets

reporting, with supporting information provided by Alberta Innovates, post-secondary institutions,

and other stakeholders. This supports relationship building and collaboration among all innovation

stakeholders, to advance Alberta’s research and innovation priorities.

The ARIF is a guiding document that reflects Alberta’s desired outcomes. It will be reviewed on a

three-year basis with local stakeholders, and with international advice and input. The review will

measure the effectiveness of the system and the ability of the system to contribute to Alberta’s

economic, environmental and social agenda.


ALBERTA’S RESEARCH AND

INNOVATION SYSTEM

The capacity and strength of the research base, along with positive conditions for companies to

innovate, are vital ingredients for a successful, innovation-driven economy.

Government has a significant role in supporting discovery and applied research, whose results

may have uncertain initial impacts but push the boundaries of knowledge, influences policy, and

underpins the achievement of Innovation Targets.

Post-secondary research contributes to Alberta in a number of ways:

Commercialized innovation is the driver for generating economic value from knowledge and

ideas, whether in established sectors such as agriculture, energy and forestry, or in new sectors,

such as nanotechnology. Established companies, entrepreneurs and post-secondary spin-off

companies are all important players in moving new knowledge into the marketplace.

Government has a role in focusing research and innovation resources on questions of importance

and relevance to the Province. This informs future policy directions. Government creates

conditions for a competitive business environment, effective infrastructure, strategic regulations

and policy, technical and commercialization services, and access to mentorship and capital.

Innovative companies contribute to Alberta in a number of ways:

Creating new economic opportunities and jobs.

Keeping Alberta’s economic sectors internationally competitive through improved

productivity.

Expanding access to markets with new products and processes.

Maintaining the social and environmental license to operate by using innovation, and

improving environmental, safety and social standards.

Translating research, discovery and application to incent innovation and support

community organizations and commercial opportunities for industry.

Creating the talent and expertise from which companies, entrepreneurs, government and

international businesses can sustain international competitiveness.

Connecting Alberta and its companies to the global reservoir of leading-edge ideas and

approaches in international jurisdictions.

Training the highly skilled graduates needed to fuel innovation in industry.


INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS

Recognizing the important roles played by each partner in Alberta’s research and innovation

system, government provides the direction for a coordinated and aligned innovation system to

meet the needs of Alberta – today and in the future.

The success of the innovation system requires the right mechanisms and conditions to support

and catalyze research and innovation. Four elements - infrastructure, people, innovation

environment and system linkages - constitute the environment for innovation.

These elements, along with active engagement of the private sector, talent and vision of

leadership are necessary to bring new ideas, knowledge and technologies to market and into

practice. Government of Alberta programs and resources are focused on building and sustaining

these elements as they lay the foundations for research excellence and a culture of innovation.

The entire model is underpinned by government policies and strategies that help guide the

operation and evolution of Alberta’s research and innovation system, providing pathways for

system advancement.


Infrastructure | Build, enhance, and sustain leading-edge infrastructure that supports research excellence and innovation activities focused on Government’s outcomes.

Establish and sustain dedicated facilities and equipment to support research and innovation

activities throughout the province (e.g., innovation infrastructure at post-secondary

institutions,

provincially-owned research and innovation equipment and applied research laboratories).

Encourage effective allocation, access, and shared use of research and innovation

infrastructure among system partners.

People | Recruit, retain, and develop skilled and talented people to ensure Alberta can address opportunities, and has a workforce that meets the needs of the province’s current and future economy.

Support talented people, from research to management and market experts, who collectively

find and implement solutions to challenges in areas of importance to Alberta.

Provide support to post-secondary institutions for talent development, management, and core

training, and create research and entrepreneurial opportunities for post-secondary students.

Encourage educational experiences in science awareness programs for Alberta’s K-12

teachers and students to support and encourage students to pursue opportunities in science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related post-secondary and professional

fields.

Innovation Environment | Enable an environment where all system partners can perform, access and apply research and innovation results. This leads to increased productivity, competitiveness and generate positive results for Albertans.

Government, agencies, industry, community organizations, and international partners work

together to develop new products and services, resolve critical competitive and societal

challenges, and inform evidence-based protocols and policies.

Build on economic strengths. Find, develop, and adopt leading technologies in the areas of:

bio-industries, energy, environment, information and communications technologies, life

sciences, nanotechnology, and water.

Facilitate mentorship for Alberta entrepreneurs, access to capital for high-growth innovative

firms, connect small to medium-sized enterprises to significant market opportunities, and

create more predictable path through the research and innovation system.

System Linkages | Develop and enhance a culture and system for innovation that is collaborative, integrated, and coordinated.

Focus on relationship-building and collaboration within and among researchers, businesses,

and entrepreneurs, in Alberta and other jurisdictions, to advance Alberta’s research and

innovation priorities.

Establish long-term relationships and mechanisms for government to coordinate and align the

research and innovation activities across multiple levels of government, entrepreneurs,

companies, post-secondary institutions, and industry.

Effectively translate research results into applications for Albertans and global markets by

connecting expertise and resources to address current and emerging challenges and to

capitalize on opportunities.

Identify and seek opportunities to strengthen research connections in the areas of

economics, law, policy, management, and social sciences to inform and enable social,

economic, political, and cultural policies.


APPENDIX RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DEFINITIONS

Alberta’s research and innovation system brings networks of people and

organizations together based on two integrated functions.

RESEARCH INNOVATION

The process of systematic investigation used to advance

knowledge. Research explores the world in which we live,

discovers new ideas, and is the foundation to address long-

term challenges. Applied research focuses on exploring the

application of ideas directed primarily towards a specific aim

or objective.

The process by which ideas are implemented and executed

and value is added – in the form of new and improved

products, services and approaches. It may draw on research

and development and may involve commercialization.

Innovation includes new technology, design, business and

social models, and mechanisms of service delivery.

Research and innovation transform the way we do things — how we protect the environment,

generate and consume energy, deliver health care services, grow food and raise livestock, and

underpin public policy and services. Albertans drive these transformations as they live, work and

do business in the province. The ARIF bridges research and innovation by identifying where

discovery research, applied research and science-informed innovations are critically needed.

Research builds and connects the scientific knowledge that helps us understand what is possible

–unlocking a host of innovative applications. Innovation is driven by the need to solve immediate

problems that improve the economy, society and the environment.


PARTNERS, ROLES, AND RELATIONSHIPS

Alberta’s research and innovation system partners interact throughout the domains of research

and innovation. Each partner has a unique core mandate such that, when well-coordinated, they

collaborate in a highly effective manner to turn ideas into remarkable innovations.

The major partners in Alberta’s research and innovation system include:

Government of Alberta establishes provincial direction on research and innovation through

policy and strategy development, funding, and program delivery to support Alberta’s public

and industry knowledge needs. It also undertakes demand-driven applied research and

technology development and demonstration.

Advisory bodies provide advice and recommendations to the Government of Alberta

pertaining to Alberta’s research and innovation system. These bodies include representation

from industry, researchers, innovation service providers, and provincial, national, and global

jurisdictions.

Funders include agencies and programs that competitively and strategically invest provincial

funding in support of research and innovation initiatives, as well as those that invest in early-

stage companies.

Performers undertake leading-edge research, pursue innovation, and commercialize new

and improved products, services, and processes.

System connectors facilitate innovation by connecting researchers, innovators,

entrepreneurs, and companies to appropriate resources such as information, expertise, and

advice.

Alberta actively engages and collaborates with the Government of Canada and other national

partners to establish a shared vision for research and innovation in Canada. International

connections are also vital to Alberta’s success. By identifying shared and complementary

expertise and initiatives with other jurisdictions, nationally and internationally, Alberta leverages

knowledge to create solutions for local and global challenges.


SYSTEM PARTNER PROFILES

Recognizing partners’ unique roles and responsibilities identifies how each partner contributes to

the success of Alberta’s research and innovation system. By aligning activities with the

government’s research and innovation outcomes and targets, the reinvigorated system can

achieve shared outcomes.

Government of Alberta /

Ministries most engaged in research and innovation

(Advanced Education, Agriculture and Forestry,

Economic Development and Trade, Energy,

Environment & Parks, Health, Treasury Board &

Finance) establish and advance provincial research and

innovation outcomes.

Advisory Bodies /

Advises on global science, technology, research, and

innovation trends, opportunities, and performance

benchmarks relevant to Alberta.

Research and Innovation Funders /

Offer post-secondary research support and applied

research and commercialization services to enhance

research and innovation.

Connects entrepreneurs to investors in venture capital

funds that finance early-stage technology companies

and that have commitment to Alberta.

Accelerates technology innovation to achieve

large-scale reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Builds and coordinates health care research excellence

and capacity across the province based on evidence-

informed, patient-focused, quality care.


Ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally

responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over

their entire life cycle.

Research and Innovation Performers /

Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions

Alberta’s universities, technical institutes, and colleges

that, in the context of their mandates, deliver research

excellence, connecting Alberta to other globally

recognized research jurisdictions, and attract and train

talent in Alberta.

Innovation and Commercialization

Support Organizations

Facilitate the transfer of innovation to the marketplace.

Provide support to companies and individuals related to

innovation through services such as technology transfer

and business incubation.

Industry and Industry Associations

Translate innovation into commercial opportunities.

Identify areas where research and innovation can inform

and provide solutions to key areas of focus.

Research and Innovation System Connectors /

Links entrepreneurs to the information and resources

they need to take the next step.

www.businesslink.ca

Regional Innovation Networks

Provide innovators, entrepreneurs and companies

access to commercialization expertise and services in

their regions.

http://economic.alberta.ca/Regional-Bus-Dev-Services.asp

Technology Development Advisors

Industry, technical, and business experts who provide

information, key business contacts, and first-hand

experience in what makes good products work.

A system map that enables Alberta small and medium-

size enterprises to access information on available

programs and services.

www.connectica.ca

http://www.businesslink.ca/

http://economic.alberta.ca/Regional-Bus-Dev-Services.asp

http://www.connectica.ca/


OVER A CENTURY OF INNOVATION IN ALBERTA

Documents

Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF)) · The Alberta Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF) Action Plan 2017 – 2020 outlines the tactical approach to advance the innovation